Learn Design with Flash MX

[simontheak]

My problem is that I love the development side of things. If someone comes up to me and says that they want a website to do a certain number of things, then I'm fine ... relatively speaking!

The only thing is that I'm rubbish at design. If that same person doesn't know what they want they want their website to look like, then I'm in trouble.

And then along comes this book from Friends of Ed offering the "goal of establishing core, generic design skills." And quite frankly it's got me intrigued. Could this be my saving grace?? Could it finally teach me something about the concept of design and the "rules" that govern it??

So what I'm wondering is this(and here's the crunch part!). Has anyone else read it? And if you have what did you think? Is it based purely on Flash or can you apply what it says to design in general? Have Friends of Ed found another niche in the market ... or is just a waste of my hard earned cash?

Thanks very much for your help

[subquark]

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=30783450&loc=106&queryType=

This book really helped me a lot!

[Timmee_3Styler]

hey that book seems neat

[subquark]

for someone like me with no training in design, I found it well written and came away from it with a good understanding of the design basics

here's a layout I made using some of the principles, click on it to put the focus on the swf then use 'enter' to cycle through a few pages (give it a minute to load, 100kb, no loader)

http://www.flashvacuum.com/temp/grid.htm

[simontheak]

That does look like a good book. Thanks alot subquark

[xxlm]

Ok, buying it too... lol
I'm as you. As you I am much coder than designer... So have to learn it...

[subquark]

As you I am much coder than designer :( I am neither . . . but it is a good book, it is not very big, but it covers the basics and I came away knowing much more than now. It even talks a bit about dealing with the client. :)

[xxlm]

Originally posted by subquark
:( I am neither ... I don't think so... :rolleyes:

[subquark]

well, nice of you to say! thanks :) but I really need to get my head around the scripting :( I find it rather difficult. Do good!

[xxlm]

Yeah but it's easier than design I think...
Code is only logical thing

design is not... :-/

[CyanBlue]

Originally posted by xxlm
Yeah but it's easier than design I think...
Code is only logical thing

design is not... :-/ So, true!!! :)

[xxlm]

Yeah... Else everyody will be good, and people like THEM (I mean good designer) will not be here...

That's why it's so hard to be a good webdesigner/developer I think... Drawing it's a gift. And I haven't get it... :p

[farafiro]

wanna an advice from an old man that has a poor design experience
go visit a lotta photoshop tuts sites (a lots out there)
then one by one you will have a lotta designning idea that u can compine together

[subquark]

from an old man :D ha, I have you beat there! And I'm a cranky old man at that!!!:p

[farafiro]

heheheeeeeee
so u r >=30 :confused: :eek:

[subquark]

41 :(

[magicwand]

41 and loves his Martini :D :D :D

[subquark]

:D oh yeah!!!

[xxlm]

41... Ooooooooooooh.... What an old man... LOL :D

[CyanBlue]

Think you won't be there, eh???

It will be sooner than you think... So, be prepared... :D

[subquark]

what? I can't hear you young punks!! Speak up!!! :D

Thanks CyanBlue, you kept me from beating him with my walker!!!

Ah, the heck with you kids, I'm getting my martini (:p your too young to drink).

You wait, I'm going to pass (some gas? no) legislation to make it so that you can only do Flash if you're over 35!!! :D

Just teasing (gee, what a short fuse). You youngins kick-ass in this flash world! Do Good! :)

[farafiro]

41, so u still have more like 50+ to go
what else
u r experienced in life, not like these youngies
u r most like a wise man
u have home and family
u r a start to your kids
u r countable to your wife

to, let these kids try to get their chance ;)

hey kids :p:p:p

[subquark]

50!?! Yeah, 50 to figure out Flash MX, and then it will be on Flash MMMXI!!!:p

Hey, the "kids" on this site kick butt and most are really talented. Maybe I should just go get my Social Security check! :D
u r most like a wise man more like wise @$$!!:D

[farafiro]

so what I said MOST, not more

[subquark]

:D

[xxlm]

Yeah I know that one day I'll have 41 (or 39 ;) ).
Things happen! LOL

[retrotron]

This is an amusing thread. :)

I'm going to spoil the mood and add my two kibbles and bits to the original question. I have looked through the FED book and thought it looked a little weak. A stricter design book, something like what subquark recommended would be good. Another great idea is to look for a "history of graphic design" book. I recommend Aynseley's (sp?) A Century of Graphic Design. It's amazing how seeing the history and seeing how certain techniques and styles developed can suddenly make the "art" side of things seem a whole lot more logical. Reading a bit on the history really helps answer the "why". The nice thing about the history of graphic design is it's very short, only this century, and fairly easy to grasp because its dominant movements have found their way into the Flash world. I.e. you'll see the stuff and go, "ah, I've seen that kind of thing before".

[simontheak]

Wow - you go away for a week, come back ... and the thread's still going strong!

Thanks for the suggestion retrotron. That book does sound quite cool. It's got some good reviews from a few sites I've found on the internet. I think I'm going to have to start saving the pennies and try to buy a good book on design.

Oh ... and subquark, so you like your Martini shaken or stirred? :D

[subquark]

so you like your Martini shaken or stirred? well, for variety I'll go stirred, but typically shaken (gin produces and release peroxides when shaken as it mixes with air and this alters the taste a bit), see my degree was in Physical Science . . . :p